Apparently, it's very common for MIT students to be discouraged by their studies, and so taking time off is often a good way to recharge. I talked to the administrators in my department, before deciding on taking leave. They were really helpful, and helped me feel more comfortable about the situation I was in. If you get accepted to MIT, you definitely have the talent and skills necessary to succeed there. The only question that remains is your motivation; whether you want to or not. It really put me at ease when I heard the administrator's view on things. It showed me that they were more sympathetic to the students than I realized.
I write this portion because I want to let people know that it's ok to take a break from school. Sometimes we all just need a little R&R, before we get back on track. It's so important to be doing something that you enjoy.
Taking this break, I'm feeling pretty good so far. It's been almost a month now since I've been back. I've spent the majority of my time hanging out with old friends, as well as making a few new ones. The first thing I did was call up my old friends who were still in school. The second thing I did, which might be more important, is to move out of my parents house into my own place. I did this for two reasons: to avoid being cooped up at home, and to have my own life. Meeting new people helped a lot for me, especially since a lot of my good friends had already graduated (along with me). Finally, having no obligations or stress is wonderful. I'm going to be sure to cherish this.
I want to leave you with this message: It's really important to be happy with what you're doing in life. Particularly, it's ok to pause and assess whether what you're doing is what you want. I'm one month removed from the constant grind that MIT brings, and I feel great. :) can't wait to see what the next few months bring.
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